MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1141, 31 May 1911, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA.

Those who attended the Municipal Orchestra's concert at the Town Hall last evening had the privilege of listening to a very fine programme, varied with selections on the grand organ by Mr. Maughan Barnett (municipal organist). Tho opening number was the florid

"Mtarchc- Ilongrdise" (Berlioz), to which was bracketed the AJlegretto and Menuetto from Haydn's Eleventh Symphony. The Berloiz march (from thn composer's "Damnation do I'aust"), is founded on the celebrated "Rakoczy" march. A somewhat tentativo introduction, difficult of attack —and the difficulty rather obtruded itself —is followed by an imposing and richlycoloured movement. The Haydn number was delightfully played, and presented a striking contrast to extravagant orchestration of the preceding number. The Menuetto was especially charming. The orchestra's most ambitious effort was the

"Finlandia" number, a "tone poem" by tho Finnish composer Sibelius. In general characteristics the "Finlandia" suggests an impressionist study of Finnish sentiment. It opens with an impressive, tlinugh somewhat tragic, "Andante Sostenuto." which is succeeded by an "Allegro Moderato" movement of imposing character, concluding with an attractive theme. The brasses are predominant almost, throughout, and tho effect is uniisiial—bizarre, even. Another number which calls for a special note was the exmiisite little "Loin du 1W" (Gillel). which was beautifully played, the orchestra being under excellent control. This number was repented by request. Tho now wpll-knnwn "Peer Gynt" suite fGrien). and Winner's fine prelude h> Act ITT "Lnhongrin," concluded the orchestral pa-! nf tho concert. Mr. Uarnett , ' own nm.MCi-s included the c-olobrated "Mnrcho Militdlro" (Sc-hubert-Tausig), a delicate

"Communion" of Drvred':-, n characteristic "Andnntinn" from Sibelius, and Wesley's "Ckojal Son&"